Since the beginning of Poptropica in 2007 (or at least as far back as I can remember), Poptropica's homepage has stayed more or less the same. The classic blue vines creeping in, the two buttons popping out, and you start playing. Well, guess what -- Poptropica.com has got a complete makeover!
The main focus is now a slideshow of recent Poptropica news, very similar to the slideshow in the bottom left of the Home screen. Above that is the new Poptropica logo (which, in my opinion, looks great surrounded by the clouds and blimp) and the various links have been moved up there too. You now have to click the Play Now button, and the old login screen replaces the slideshow (albeit in a dark blue border.)
Everyone has an opinion on this, but what do I think about it? Well, the new design undoubtedly looks quite clean and modern, while still maintaining that kid-friendly appearance. But when you go to Poptropica.com, you're not really looking forward to a slideshow of Poptropica news, you want to get straight to the game! And honestly, it took me a while to figure out how to start playing (after the initial shock wore off). If I wanted the news carousel, I could check out the Home slideshow after logging in and playing for a while.
Similar reaction to the bar on top with the links. These links used to be in the "fat footer" of the old homepage; you know, that cluster of tiny links at the bottom? Problem is, I rarely needed to click those links, and having them up-top seems wrong. This looks more like an advertisement for Poptropica than Poptropica.
| There's no doubt that the reactions to this drastic change are going to be strong. I really would have expected some advance warning from the Creators on the Blog or on Twitter. It's strange how they've been leaking upcoming island sneak peeks liberally, but then they suddenly spring this on us. All in all, I think the new update would be great and non-alientating, if not for the huge unnecessary slideshow obstructing us from the game. Perhaps they could keep the old home screen up there but have a smaller slideshow below it? | |
